while negotiations appear to be at a standstill, we know president obama and house speaker john boehner finally spoke by phone yesterday. the first conversation in a week. we don't know what they talked about or how long they spoke, because both men agreed to keep details of the conversation between the two of them. meanti meantime, democrats are digging in heels saying no deem if republicans refuse to let go of tax cuts for the wealthy. >> it's really time for republicans to face reality. i would hope the house of representatives would look closely at what's going on with senators coming out saying please, mr. speaker, do something about protecting the middle class. >> and it appears house republicans are also ready, at least some of them, to give he house speaker boehner more flexibility. "the washington post" reports, quote, many gop centrists and some conservatives call on the house speaker to concede on rates now while he still has some leverage